From the time we wake up to the time we go to sleep there are opportunities throughout the day in which we can serve the LORD by being a blessing to others. However, some are more focused on receiving a blessing instead of seeking to be a blessing. Sadly, they fail to comprehend that being a blessing; is a blessing. When our hearts diligently seek the Father’s will, as Jesus’ heart did, amazing blessings are unveiled. Jesus didn’t come to be served but to serve. So, whether, he was washing someone’s feet, restoring sight to the blind or turning water into wine; his focus was never self-seeking. Instead his heart was determined to accomplish his Father’s will by being a blessing to us through his loving sacrifice on the cross.
As Christians, it is so important to understand that blessings begin with the love we share through the fruit we bear. So, whether we express the LORD’s love by an unexpected smile of joy, a voice of faith to the weary, a warm hug for the brokenhearted, a giving heart to the needy, or through a prayer for the unaware; our hearts should be focused on glorifying the King by being a blessing.
Be a blessing and you too will be blessed by the LORD’s graciousness.
Scriptures to meditate on:
Matthew 5:42
Matthew 20:28
Mark 12:30-31
Romans 12:6-8
Romans 12:10-18
Romans 13:9
Romans 15:1-3
Ephesians 4:2-3
Ephesians 5:21
Philippians 2:1-11
Colossians 4:5-6
I John 3:16-20
Monday, April 25, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Expect the Unexpected
Have you ever prayed for something and expected a particular outcome to occur? And when the outcome wasn't quite how you expected your heart was filled with disappointment. You may have assumed that the Lord didn't hear your prayer as your heart grew heavier and heavier with despair. But, have you ever considered that just maybe your prayer was being answered just not in the way you expected? The Lord's ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. He moves in mighty and wonderful ways that from the surface may be missed if one is focused on what they think the outcome should be instead of seeking the Lord's glory.
Consider the story of Joseph the son of Jacob (Israel) he received two dreams from the Lord indicating that his family would one day bow down before him. But, little did he know, a series of tribulations would come his way before the dreams would come to pass; His father rebuked him because of the dreams, his brothers hated him so much that they threw him into a pit to die and then he was sold to the Egyptians where he endured being wrongfully imprisoned. Through Joseph's tribulation, I would imagine that he called out to the Lord for help and from the surface he may have felt that the Lord wasn't answering his prayers. And as the years passed by, he may have even questioned whether the dreams he received were actually true.
Yet, the Lord's word never returns void and Joseph was right in the midst of the Lord's glory. The Lord answered Joseph's prayers in a very, unexpected way. He placed Joseph in a prestigious authoritative position within Egypt which enabled him to save his family and many others from starvation due to a severe famine in the land. However, in the midst of Joseph's tribulation he was probably prayerfully expecting a particular outcome, instead of expecting the unexpected. But when the dreams finally came to pass, Joseph was able to boldly proclaim that what his brothers meant for harm against him God meant for good, as he glorified the Lord's name.
So I pray that when you faithfully seek the Lord with all your heart that you don't fail to receive your blessing because the outcome isn't what you were expecting. But, instead be wise in your walk and diligent in your faith and patiently expect the unexpected.
Scriptures to Meditate on:
Genesis 37-50
Genesis 50:18-19
Isaiah 55:8-11
Matthew 21:22
Mark 11:23-23
Matthew 21:22
Hebrews 11:1
Hebrews 11:6
James 1:2-8
Consider the story of Joseph the son of Jacob (Israel) he received two dreams from the Lord indicating that his family would one day bow down before him. But, little did he know, a series of tribulations would come his way before the dreams would come to pass; His father rebuked him because of the dreams, his brothers hated him so much that they threw him into a pit to die and then he was sold to the Egyptians where he endured being wrongfully imprisoned. Through Joseph's tribulation, I would imagine that he called out to the Lord for help and from the surface he may have felt that the Lord wasn't answering his prayers. And as the years passed by, he may have even questioned whether the dreams he received were actually true.
Yet, the Lord's word never returns void and Joseph was right in the midst of the Lord's glory. The Lord answered Joseph's prayers in a very, unexpected way. He placed Joseph in a prestigious authoritative position within Egypt which enabled him to save his family and many others from starvation due to a severe famine in the land. However, in the midst of Joseph's tribulation he was probably prayerfully expecting a particular outcome, instead of expecting the unexpected. But when the dreams finally came to pass, Joseph was able to boldly proclaim that what his brothers meant for harm against him God meant for good, as he glorified the Lord's name.
So I pray that when you faithfully seek the Lord with all your heart that you don't fail to receive your blessing because the outcome isn't what you were expecting. But, instead be wise in your walk and diligent in your faith and patiently expect the unexpected.
Scriptures to Meditate on:
Genesis 37-50
Genesis 50:18-19
Isaiah 55:8-11
Matthew 21:22
Mark 11:23-23
Matthew 21:22
Hebrews 11:1
Hebrews 11:6
James 1:2-8
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